Live-tweeting war

By Eric Katz

November 15, 2012

Often mundane social networking service Twitter is taking on what may be its weightiest subject yet: bombing raids.

@IDFSpokesperson, the official, verified Twitter account of the Israeli Defense Forces, has provided information in real time to its more than 100,000 followers about its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, targeting Hamas militants.

“The IDF has begun a widespread campaign on terror sites & operatives in the #Gaza Strip, chief among them #Hamas & Islamic Jihad targets,” the account tweeted, as first reported by PopSci.

Updates on strikes, photos of targets and defenses of their actions followed. The account even turned to threats:

“We recommend that no Hamas operatives, whether low level or senior leaders, show their faces above ground in the days ahead,” said one Tweet.

Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, got in on the action, tweeting its response:

“Al Qassam targeting #Israeli soldiers east of Jabaliya camp with dozens of projectiles, direct hit reported #gaza #ShaleStones,” the group boasted from its official account, @alqassambrigades.

Overall, @IDFSpokesperson has sent out more than 70 tweets with updates in the first hours of the campaign.